Here is a list of how i upped the current sizes for all of my gear. this will give you an idea. I am an electrician and electronics tech, i feel these ratings are safe.
Audiophile Fuses
- Thread starter MylesBAstor
- Start date
I agree...go with SR Purple. The difference between Blue and Purple is a lot. Also consider the QSA line of fuses.
The Blue is a different beast than either the Orange or Purple. The Blue is tonally cool (“neutral”), focused on detail and PRAT, while with the later models were revoiced to add a dose of warmth. As for values, be safe and go up one step in amperage. As for what amperage to go up from, see the back of your units or the manual. You can also look at the fuse, since it gives the value.
So help me out, Highstream.
Your post says of SR - "They in fact privately recommend what many others have learned: going up an amperage step or 25% ".
Is that true, or some sort of Chinese whisper, where somebody heard that a person once said, after listening to his mate who knows somebody else who heard it through the grapevine? It does not seem to appear on their website.
Can it be verified or are you expert enough to be offering your own opinion as fact?
In my ignorance, I have replaced internal fuses with SR of exactly the same value as those removed, which agreed with the values shown on the printed circuit board. That seems the correct way of doing things - or am I mad not to follow your artificial upgrade guide?
Your post says of SR - "They in fact privately recommend what many others have learned: going up an amperage step or 25% ".
Is that true, or some sort of Chinese whisper, where somebody heard that a person once said, after listening to his mate who knows somebody else who heard it through the grapevine? It does not seem to appear on their website.
Can it be verified or are you expert enough to be offering your own opinion as fact?
In my ignorance, I have replaced internal fuses with SR of exactly the same value as those removed, which agreed with the values shown on the printed circuit board. That seems the correct way of doing things - or am I mad not to follow your artificial upgrade guide?
There has been a lot of posts of people having blown orange sr fuses of exact amperage. The dealer i bought mine from told me as much. so that is why i posted what i upsized all my fuses too. i have been running them without fail.
A number of manufacturers of the components I've had over the years have told me that fuse amperage recommendations are typically minimums and that there should be no problem with an increase. My Modwright PS 9.0 power supply for example came with a 1A fuse. Dan Wright of Modwright advised me to use a 2A fuse if I was using an expensive audiophile fuse. Never had any problems.
Listenup: You're not mad, just not very diligent about using the internet's Search facility to research before throwing around accusations or suspicions, vs. simply asking questions or for clarification.
From the release of the SR Blue, there have been plenty of posts here and on Audiogon, and probably elsewhere, about the blown fuse issue and what to do about it -- go up one amperage value or 25% -- that others here have confirmed. In fact, Mr. SR, told me the same thing on the phone. While as far as I know, SR is the only one for sure that is not to industry standards, I was told a dealer suggested the same safeguard with QSA. It has to do with whether or not the gear has startup surges and how it handles them.
Another angle on this is that many, if not most developers, but not all, spec their fuses 2-3x or more above what's needed. Why? Because given the variety of users, situations, etc., etc., the possibility of a fuse blowing at the needed value is greater. Great enough, so when that happens, the gear is returned under warranty or returned from an audition when there's nothing wrong but just the quirks of use.
Actually, I was diligent about searching this subject, but can only find opinions and not written fact by the manufacturers.
When you had Mr. SR confirm to you over the phone that it would be good practice to increase the value, was that with the agreement of all the equipment manufacturers, or just a safeguard for the fuse manufacturer?
Here in the UK our mains plugs are fused. I am told that this is to protect the cable itself. So a switch mode power supply with a small cable could have a 5 amp fuse, but a heavy amp cable a 13 amp fuse. In these circumstances, fitting a fuse of a greater value could cause a fire risk.
When you had Mr. SR confirm to you over the phone that it would be good practice to increase the value, was that with the agreement of all the equipment manufacturers, or just a safeguard for the fuse manufacturer?
Here in the UK our mains plugs are fused. I am told that this is to protect the cable itself. So a switch mode power supply with a small cable could have a 5 amp fuse, but a heavy amp cable a 13 amp fuse. In these circumstances, fitting a fuse of a greater value could cause a fire risk.
Listenup: I think you're confused. Would you really think that gear manufacturers would be putting one spec on their equipment and in the manual, but then agreeing to something else in practice on the QT without announcing it, even though it affects the operation of their equipment, as well as warranties? This discussion is first of all about the manufacturers of fuses. I'm sure most gear manufacturers by now are well aware of what's going on with aftermarket fuses -- I believe Paul McGowan uses SR Purples in PS Audio's listening room equipment. However, they aren't going to get involved officially for obvious reasons. If you have a question about the appropriateness of going up a value, then contact the gear manufacturer to find how much tolerance they are allowing. However, don't expect any encouragement re aftermarket fuses, to say the least.
I don't know about mains outlets being fused, except at the residence's fuse box (U.S.), unless the owner has a separate electrical set up for their system. Not being in the UK, I've also never heard that the main purpose of fusing an outlet is to protect the cable, as opposed to the gear the cable is plugged into (from my Furutech outlet, the power cord runs to a PS Audio Regenerator, which is fused currently with a 6.3A SR Purple, vs. 5A spec). In the U.S., the biggest risk is lightening strikes, which would presumably blow a slightly higher amperage fuse just as fast.
I don't know about mains outlets being fused, except at the residence's fuse box (U.S.), unless the owner has a separate electrical set up for their system. Not being in the UK, I've also never heard that the main purpose of fusing an outlet is to protect the cable, as opposed to the gear the cable is plugged into (from my Furutech outlet, the power cord runs to a PS Audio Regenerator, which is fused currently with a 6.3A SR Purple, vs. 5A spec). In the U.S., the biggest risk is lightening strikes, which would presumably blow a slightly higher amperage fuse just as fast.
If there is overload protection at the breaker box or power conditioner/distributor there is no need to fuse the mains cord itself. Not aware of anyplace else in the world other than the UK where this is done, and don't recall ever seeing a news report of a fire caused by an audio power cable.
Google answer on UK plugs/fuses:
The origins of our large plugs go back to the end of World War Two. With so many houses to build after the war, and facing a chronic copper shortage, Britain was keen to find a way of wiring homes that used less cable. Previously, each mains socket had its own connection to the fuse board. To save copper, Britain adopted the ring main system, with sockets connected sequentially, but this meant each connection needed its own fuse. Instead of putting the fuses in the sockets, they were included in the plugs themselves. Hence the UK's bigger plugs.
The origins of our large plugs go back to the end of World War Two. With so many houses to build after the war, and facing a chronic copper shortage, Britain was keen to find a way of wiring homes that used less cable. Previously, each mains socket had its own connection to the fuse board. To save copper, Britain adopted the ring main system, with sockets connected sequentially, but this meant each connection needed its own fuse. Instead of putting the fuses in the sockets, they were included in the plugs themselves. Hence the UK's bigger plugs.
My posts may have been misinterpreted. I am not against after market fuses and have been using them for some years. Right now I have 5 x SR purple waiting to be fitted to my amps, replacing SR blue fuses, which at the time had a significant positive affect on sound quality. In other words, I recognise and value the surprising improvements that they can make.
I can understand when it is stated on this forum that fuse manufacturers have recommended going up in fuse value to prevent them from popping, because it would reduce the number of returns or replacements they would need to make. It sounds like a commercial decision on their part. What I cannot find on the internet is positive corroboration from them that it is the correct thing to do for equipment that states a specific value of fuse.
I can also understand that an individual would increase the rating of their fuse in order to protect their $/£ fuse investment after reading comments about failure rates. Human nature - if you read a posting that says increasing the fuse value works, go for it because it worked for others - but is that the correct thing to do electrically?
What I cannot understand is why an equipment manufacturer would specify a fuse value, and people assume that it is good to ignore that and follow suggestions on a Forum that contradicts this. What do the equipment manufacturers say? To read on a forum a justification which says 'they leave lots of headroom' does not really cut it. To say that it depends on whether or not the equipment has start up surges and how it handles them, is surely something that the equipment manufacturer would have considered before specifying a value.
What is the point of specifying fuse values if they are just to be ignored?
I can understand when it is stated on this forum that fuse manufacturers have recommended going up in fuse value to prevent them from popping, because it would reduce the number of returns or replacements they would need to make. It sounds like a commercial decision on their part. What I cannot find on the internet is positive corroboration from them that it is the correct thing to do for equipment that states a specific value of fuse.
I can also understand that an individual would increase the rating of their fuse in order to protect their $/£ fuse investment after reading comments about failure rates. Human nature - if you read a posting that says increasing the fuse value works, go for it because it worked for others - but is that the correct thing to do electrically?
What I cannot understand is why an equipment manufacturer would specify a fuse value, and people assume that it is good to ignore that and follow suggestions on a Forum that contradicts this. What do the equipment manufacturers say? To read on a forum a justification which says 'they leave lots of headroom' does not really cut it. To say that it depends on whether or not the equipment has start up surges and how it handles them, is surely something that the equipment manufacturer would have considered before specifying a value.
What is the point of specifying fuse values if they are just to be ignored?
More on worldwide plugs/fuses/voltages:
this following website lists 15 different plugs used around the world, (yes 15!)
Plug & socket types
www.worldstandards.eu
and only the UK plug is fused, it is used in these countries, (over 50)
It’s interesting to see that the vast majority of the world uses 240v (or near) and only the USA and Canada use 110v (with a few outliers).
This means in the UK that we can use mains extension blocks with unfused Schuko (European) plugs as long as we use a UK fused plug/cable to connect to the mains. This saves the expense of multiple expensive fuses, just put one really good one in the UK plug.
@Listenup. Your posts have not been misinterpreted (and have kept up with your moniker). I have two questions that arise from your post:
First: What exactly led you to buy aftermarket fuses and, in particular, SR Purple's? Was it that you believed SR's marketing; something you read on the internet; perhaps somebody you trust who told you they were worth buying; you gave into a moment of impulse buying; you had money to burn and it seemed like a potentially more enjoyable investment than, say, betting on Manchester United, or...?
Second question: Given that you apparently have gear which doesn't have strong start up surges and/or you've been very lucky, perhaps a winner in fuse to fuse variability, what would you have done -- or do -- if an SR fuse at spec blew at power start up one day under normal conditions?
First: What exactly led you to buy aftermarket fuses and, in particular, SR Purple's? Was it that you believed SR's marketing; something you read on the internet; perhaps somebody you trust who told you they were worth buying; you gave into a moment of impulse buying; you had money to burn and it seemed like a potentially more enjoyable investment than, say, betting on Manchester United, or...?
Second question: Given that you apparently have gear which doesn't have strong start up surges and/or you've been very lucky, perhaps a winner in fuse to fuse variability, what would you have done -- or do -- if an SR fuse at spec blew at power start up one day under normal conditions?
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Not the $300, but the $240 one(s), although the Cable Co site says it’s new, which makes me wonder if the site page is old or if there's been an update. I haven’t liked these AM’s. They seem tonally and in perspective different from the predecessors, being more focused on presence and closer to neutral. I definitely didn’t like them in the ATC’s or in the P15 regenerator (put a Purple back there and the QSA Reds in the speakers). However, I’m going to hold final judgment on them in the dac and preamp until my TRP comes back from upgrade and, in that context, get a better sense with the two pairs of tube traps I recently purchased, which have significant effects on the sound (especially the room corner placed ones that disperse as well as absorb, vs. absorption only that I’ve had).
When I had the AM’s out and QSA and Purple & Orange in, I found the system tonally too pleasant. Not syrupy, just nice and boring, although with good detail, etc..
When I had the AM’s out and QSA and Purple & Orange in, I found the system tonally too pleasant. Not syrupy, just nice and boring, although with good detail, etc..
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To be clear, I have nothing against a sense of presence but found the AM fuses' sense overwhelming when placed in the ATC's and the P15. Alfred of Hi-End Electronics said if I didn't like the Ultimate Premier, I wouldn't like the new $300 version. Synergy and tastes count.
Audio Magic has a new fuse called masterpiece m 1 in their portfolio.
Has anyone already experience with this new fuse?
Newer Audio Magic fuses had a distinct “presence“ added, when I read recent comments.
I have right now a few SR purple fuses in my Rowland Coherence II and Ferrum Hypsos and like their effect.
Better play safe and get another Purple 10A for my Stromtank S2500 Quantum mk II?
Has anyone already experience with this new fuse?
Newer Audio Magic fuses had a distinct “presence“ added, when I read recent comments.
I have right now a few SR purple fuses in my Rowland Coherence II and Ferrum Hypsos and like their effect.
Better play safe and get another Purple 10A for my Stromtank S2500 Quantum mk II?
I think the 30-day return applies to fuses at highend electronics, but never asked. https://highend-electronics.com/products/audio-magic-masterpiece-m-1-beeswax-fuse
The customer reviews there agree on warmth and brighter than darker.
The customer reviews there agree on warmth and brighter than darker.
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